Signaling



Patented Nov.4 29, |898.

J. P.' COLEMAN.

. SIGNLING.

(Application led Jan. 8, 1898.

(No Model.)

@WMM

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

JOHN PRESSLEY COLEMAN, OF EDGEVVOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SVVITOH AND SIGNAL COMPANY, OF

SIVISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SIGNALING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,142, dated November 29, 1898.

Application led January 3, 1898.

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN PREssLEY COLE- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling, of which improvements the following is a specification.

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in electrically-actuated signals, and has for its object a construction of signal-actuating mechanism whereby the signal can not only be cleared by the actuating mechanism, but can also'when necessary be pulled to danger position by the same mechanism.

Semaphore-signals are so constructed and mounted on their signal-posts that under normal conditions the semaphore will automatically assume danger position when free to move. Sometimes an excessive accumulation of snow or ice on the semaphore-blade and the bearings or excessive friction in its movable parts will prevent this automatic action. Automatic semaphore signals are generally held in clear position by electric slot mechanism, and it may happen that residual magnetism may hold the parts of the slot mechanism in engagement, thereby preventing the signal from going to danger position when the circuit through the magnet of the slot is broken by the entrance of a train upon the section controlled by such semaphore-signal.

To the end of overcoming this possible inoperativeness of a signal, the invention consists, generally stated, in a construction of mechanism whereby under abnormal conditions the signal-shifting mechanism becomes operative to pull the signal to danger position.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, is shown a signaling apparatus having my improvements applied thereto.

In the practice of my invention the electric motor 1 is operatively connected, through Serial No. 665,360. (No model.)

suitable interposed gearing, to the shaft of the crank 2, which is connected lby the link 3 to the frame 4 of the slot mechanism. The bar 5, which passes through suitable guideopenings in the frame 4, is connected at its upper end to the signal rod 6. The slotframe is guided in its movements, hereinafter described, by arms 7 and S, pivotally attached to the casing of the signal mechanism and connected, respectively, to the lower end of the frame 4 and to the upper end of the bar 5. The signal is shifted to and held in safety position by the frame 4, to which it is detachably locked by the engagement of a shoulder 9 on the dog 10 with a roller 11, arranged inV a slot in the bar 5. The dog 10 is provided with laterally-proj ectin g wings 12, which rest upon ledges on the frame 4, and is held with its shoulder 9 under the roller 11 by a latch 13, pivotally mounted on the frame and held in operative position by the engagement of a hook on the armature-lever 14 with a projection on the latch. The hook on the lever is held in engagement with a projection on the latch 13 by the magnet 15, secured on the frame 4. It will be observed that the latch 13 is so weighted that when freed from the lever 14 it will swing back and permit the dog 10 to be forced outwardly, so as to allow the bar 5 and signal to drop to danger position. The latch is provided with a resilient tail 16, so shaped that when the latch drops down to release the dog the tail will project across the path of movement of the bar 5. When the bar 5 is released and drops, as stated, its lower end will strike the resilient tail and force the latch up to normal position, where it will be caught by the lever 14.

The signal-clearing circuit for the motor consists, starting from battery B, of wire 17, motor 1, wire 1S, make-and-break mechanism 19, wire 20, front contact-point and armature 21 of track-relay 22 to battery. The

signal-starting circuit of the motor consists of wire 17,motor, wires 18 and 23, make-andbreak mechanism 24, wire 25, back contactpoint armature 21 to battery. The circuit for the slot-magnet 15 consists of wires 17 and 26,' magnet 15, Wires 27 and 20, front contact-point and armature 2l to battery. The make-and-break mechanisms 1f) and 24 may be of anysuitable construction and are so arranged that 1f) will be opened and 2t closed as the signal reaches clear position and that these positions shall be reversed as the signal moves from clear position. A convenient form ot' such mechanism consists of two springs so secured to a block of insulating material as to benormallyin coutaetwith each other. These make-and-brcak mechanisms are so secured to suitable supports ou opposite sides of one of the arms 7 or S that a projection 011 said arm will separate one or the other of said make-and-break mechanisms when the arm is shifted.

In describing the operation of my improved apparatus the parts will be supposed to be in the positions shown in the drawing, with the signal at safetyf As soon as a train enters on the track-section controlled by the signal track-relay 22 will be cut out, and by the movement ot' its armature the circuit of slot-magnet l5 will be broken, thereby permitting the latch 13 to drop and the shoulder on the dog 10 to move out from under the pin 11, when the signal drops to danger position, provided that the blade is not frozen or otherwise held from movement under the force of gravity. It the signal is in normal condition, it will quickly drop and in its movement will break the make-and-break mechanism Qiand permit the make-and-break mechanism 19 to close. By the shifting of the armature 2l of the track-relay 22 against the back contact a circuit is completed through the motor and the make-aml-break mechanism Ql, so that the motor will start operation; but before it will have attained any considerable momentum its circuit will be broken bythe opening of the make-and-break mechanism 2t, as above stated. The completion or closure of make-and-break mechanism l) would put the motor-circuit in condition for closure by the shifting of armature 2l of the track-relay as soon as the train passes olf the section. Simultaneously with the closing of the signal-clearing circuit by rela-y 22 the circuit of slot-magnet l5 is closed, so as to hold thelat-eh 13 and dog 2O in operative position. By the rotation of the crank 2 the `frame is drawn down until the shoulder i) of dog l0 can pass under the rollerll ot bar 5, when by the continued rotation of the crank the frame will be raised, carrying with it the signal-rod to clear the signal. As the signal approaches clear position make-and-break mechanism 2i will be closed and make-and-break mechanism 1f) opened, thereby breaking the signal-clearing circuit and preliminarily closing the secondary circuit through the motor. In

ease the signal will not drop to danger position when magnet l5 is denergized on the entrance of a train onto the track-section the Secondary circuit through the motor will be closed by the shifting of the armature 2l against its back contact, thereby causing the motor to rotate and shift the crank 2. By this movement of the crank a downward pull will be exerted on the frame 1t, and as the pin or shaft of the loller at the lower end of the bar 5 projects laterally beyond the baraportion of the frame will engage the pin and a downward pull will be exerted upon the signal-rod and signal, thereby loosening the signal, so that it will drop automatically to danger position. As the signal moves down the movement of the arm S will cause the projection 2S to separate the springs vforming makeand-break mechanism Ll, thereby opening the secondary circuit through the motor.

It will be readily understood by those Skilled in the' art that this operation of the lnotor t0 set the signal to danger position will not require any materially greater power than is used in the normal operation of the signal, as in all cases the frame must be pulled down by the operation of the motor, so as to permit of the engagen'ient of the slot mechanism with the bar 5.

I claim herein as my inventionl. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal, an electric motor for shifting the signal to clear and danger positionsl by rotation in the same direction, a circuit through said motor, two make-and-break mechanisms included in said circuit, said make-and-break mechanisms being, respectively, adapted to be opened and closed by the movements of the signal to and from clear position, substantially as set forth.

2. In a signal apparatus, the combination ot a signal having a bias to danger position, an electric motor having detachable connection to signal to permit an independent movement of the signal to danger position, .and a connection whereby the motor can pull the signal from clear position, a make-and-break mechanism in the motor-circuit adapted to be closed by the movement of the signal to clear position, substantially as set forth. f*

In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal, an electric motor for positively shifting the signal in both directions, a makeand-break mechanism in the motor-circuit adapted to be closed by the entrance of a train on the track-section controlled by the signal, and a second make-and-brake mechanism in the motor-circuit adapted to be closed by the movement of the signal to clear position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN IRESSLE Y COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

DARWIN S. WoLco'r'r, F. E. GAITHER.

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